Interesting info from everyone. I suppose the fact is we are unfortunately stuck with it as it is - the position of the airport means that the air routes come over our green and pleasant home in spite of safety and environmental considerations. I don't have small children now but I do wonder how they would get to sleep these noisy summer evenings. My own decision is to keep an eye on what's going on, including third runway at Heathrow, and do everything I can to make sure our situation does not get worse.